Scottish Water was fined £12,000 yesterday after they failed to comply with their licence to discharge sewage effluent into the Torry burn.

The water company pled guilty at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last Friday (4 June) following an investigation by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) which was reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Sentencing was deferred until today.

On 1 June 2009 SEPA officers were alerted by a member of the public to a discharge of sewage into the Torry Burn. On attending the site they found that the water was discoloured and sewage fungus was observed covering the base of the burn. Officers walked up the burn and found that the over flow pipe from Cairneyhill Pumping Station was discharging, while the burn upstream of the pipe was clear. Samples were taken of the burn.

Overflows are only permitted as a result of significant rainfall and/or snow melt or when flows are in excess of the pass forward rate of 55l/s. However, the discharge from Cairneyhill Pumping Station was due to a blockage in the inlet channel which caused the storm tanks to fill up. An internal power supply fault then prevented the flow returning automatically from the storm tanks, thus prolonging the spill.

Liam Macrae, SEPA's investigating officer, said:

"Sewage discharges can be highly polluting in terms of water quality and aesthetics as they are likely to contain high levels of suspended solids, ammonia and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD).  Such discharges can have an adverse affect on invertebrates, which in turn can affect animals further up the food chain, such as fish. Ecology results show that this discharge resulted in a significant impact on invertebrates colonies in the burn."

"The area around the Torry Burn is well used for walking and dog walking, and therefore can be regarded as having a high amenity value to its users. Pollution was noted as far as the nearby village of Torryburn and extensive sewage fungus and discoloration of the water was visible, in addition to the strong sewage odour."

Calum MacDonald, SEPA's Director of Operations, said:

"We want to help people avoid causing pollution and advice on how to do that is easily available from our staff, offices and website www.sepa.org.uk. The NetRegs website, www.netregs.gov.uk, also offers clear guidance on environmental rules and regulations. However, where pollution is significant or persistent, or is as a result of wilful or negligent actions, SEPA will not hesitate to use its enforcement powers to protect the environment for the benefit of all of Scotland's citizens.

"Importantly, if a pollution incident occurs, we urge anyone to let us know straight away by calling our 24 hour pollution report line, 0800 80 70 60, giving as many details as possible so effective action can be taken."